It's brother vs brother in Durban
Published
By Roy Barford
Whatever language you speak, there is going to be a "moer se groot" (huge) battle up front in Saturday's clash between the Sharks and the Cheetahs.
With 16 biltong-munching hulks having a crack at each other in the scrums and other tight phases, you won't just see and hear the impact on the sidelines, you'll likely feel it.
When former All Black Tony Brown was asked what he enjoyed about playing for the Sharks in the Super 14, his answer was: "Playing behind eight angry Dutchmen", who provided a great platform for the backline to launch attacks from.
Had he been playing for the Cheetahs, he would most likely have said exactly the same.
An interesting duel among the forwards will be between the Du Plessis brothers, Bismarck the Sharks hooker and Jannie the Cheetahs prop.
Bismarck, who attended Grey College in Bloemfontein, along with Sharks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, has been a hugely impressive replacement for John Smit. Still only 22, Bismarck undoubtedly has higher honours coming his way in the next few years.
Jannie was a member of Jake White's Springbok squad of 45 a few months ago, and played in the unofficial Test against the World XV.
But even though both teams have forwards with the strength of German tanks, neither side is afraid to have a run with the ball, which could make today's clash one of the finest of the Currie Cup this year.
In the second round of the Super 14 this year, the Cheetahs pipped the Sharks 27-26 in Durban, so much of this afternoon's clash will be about payback for the home team. It is also a clash between the two top teams in the 2006 Currie Cup so far, with the Cheetahs one point ahead of the Sharks after five games each.
The Cheetahs are, of course, the defending champions, having upset the Bulls in last year's final. Under the guidance of coach Rassie Erasmus, one of the most gifted Springbok flankers ever, the Cheetahs made some big strides in the last year.
While they may lack big names in their line up (Hendro Scholtz and Michael Claassens are the only Springboks in the starting line up), they are a side that plays with much passion and cohesion, elements which make them a potent force in the battle for South Africa's most prestigious rugby trophy.
It's old news, very old news, but the Sharks haven't won the Currie Cup since 1996, exactly a decade ago.
The last two years have been extra poor, in that the Sharks haven't even made it to the semifinals.
Looking at the Sharks squad on paper, and after seeing the way they dehorned the mighty Bulls at Loftus last week, you would really expect the Sharks to put that trophy back in the cabinet this season.
A win today would definitely give Muir's men the feeling of already having one hand on that trophy, although there is a fair way to go in the competition.
The Sharks squad has so much depth at the moment, that coach Dick Muir is able to play two completely different teams in consecutive weekends, blooding future stars like Keegan Daniel, Ryan Kankowski and Craig Burden in the process.
Sure, the Sharks lost 23-22 against Griquas in Kimberley, but what a good learning experience that was for the youngsters.
Six of the Sharks star performers are doing duty with the Springboks down under, but even still, national under 21 stars such as prop Sangoni Mxoli, locks Alistair Hargreaves and Nicolai Blignaut, as well as wing Cedric Mkhize, aren't even needed in the 22 man line up today.
Imagine the strength of the Sharks in four years time if youngsters such as the above are kept in the province.
Starting today are national Under 21 stars Bradley Barrit and Waylon Murray. While Barrit starts at flyhalf, and Murray at wing, the two lads who both weigh in at over 100kg, are the likely centre pairing of the near future.
Burden, a Maritzburg College old boy who starts on the other wing today, also weighs in over the three figure mark, and is only 21 himself.
Again, one for the future...